Inter Milan‘s head coach, Cristian Chivu, has expressed his support for goalkeeper Josep Martínez after he was involved in a tragic road accident.
Last week, a man lost his life when his electric wheelchair collided with a car driven by the 27-year-old Martínez, who plays for Spain.
Authorities are currently investigating the incident, which took place in Como province. Preliminary reports indicate that the wheelchair may have turned into the path of the oncoming vehicle.
Martínez, who serves as a backup to Yann Sommer, was not included in Inter’s squad for the 3-0 Serie A victory over Fiorentina the following day and remained an unused substitute during Sunday’s 2-1 win at Verona.
“We need to support him and help him through this tough time,” Chivu commented at a press conference prior to Wednesday’s Champions League match against Kairat Almaty, as reported on Inter’s website.
“This is an incredibly challenging moment, one I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. He is in a delicate state, and it’s essential that we stand by him, helping him find peace once again.
“Life doesn’t always unfold as we’d like, and it requires significant strength to navigate through such situations,” he added.
As last season’s runners-up, Inter has kicked off their current Champions League season with victories over Ajax, Slavia Prague, and Union Saint-Gilloise.
Kairat, a Kazakh club that eliminated Celtic to qualify for the league phase, has managed to gather just one point from their first three matches.
Chivu dismissed any claims that his team’s strong start has been due to easy matchups. “I don’t pay heed to what others say or write,” the Romanian coach remarked.
“Tomorrow, we face a crucial and challenging match, as this is the Champions League, and victories are never guaranteed, both here and in Serie A.
“We face a team that advanced through four qualifying rounds, defeating clubs like Slovan [Bratislava] and Celtic, which demonstrates their caliber,” he noted.
“If anyone thinks we’ve had an easy run, they’re entitled to their opinion, but as a unified group—staff and club—we fully respect the competition and acknowledge how difficult it is to succeed.”
Inter captain Lautaro Martínez hasn’t found the net in three games since scoring during the 4-0 win against Belgian side USG on October 21.
When asked about the form of the World Cup-winning Argentinian, Chivu stated: “People often try to create narratives that simply aren’t there. Even when he doesn’t score, he offers so much to the team.
“I’ve told him simply to smile more. Happiness, passion, and leadership are integral to his character.
“At times, the weight of responsibility can bear down on him, but he understands how vital he is to our team. He works diligently and puts forth his best efforts, which is all that counts. He just needs to remember to find joy in what he does.”